Pineapple Trade Focus

Australia: Prime pineapple season

2010-03-22T17:35:00.001-04:00

North Queensland Register, 20 Mar 2010 - Stephen and Robert Pace's family operation has been basking in success in 2010, with cartons and trays of pineapples, weighing 20kg and 10kg respectively, selling to $26 after a tough season in the south. Prices have remained stable since, due to high demand from Heinz, which has a quota of 7000 tonnes still to fill.Read more

Netherlands: The Greenery seeks pineapple supplier

2010-01-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

fruitnet.com - 25 Jan 2010Dutch importer The Greenery/Hagé International looking for additional source in Costa Rica as European demand grows ... read more...

Netherlands: Cocaine intercepted in between pineapples

2010-01-22T10:58:00.000-05:00

Fresh Plaza - 22 Jan 2010Three men have been arrested, on suspicion of planning to smuggle cocaine in large quantities, hidden in pineapple shipments from South America to the Netherlands. In Panama at the end of November 2009 900kgs. of cocaine, packed in plastic crates was intercepted, which is most probably connected to this shipment. ... read more...

Malaysia bootstraps Sabah pineapples

2010-01-22T05:30:00.000-05:00

fruitnet.com - 6 Jan 2010A plan to cultivate 800ha of pineapple plantations in the Malaysian state of Sabah is set to take off next month with the planting of the first 100ha in ... read more...

USA: Pineapple, apple top list of children’s favorite fruits

2009-11-11T18:11:00.000-05:00

Oct 31, 2009 - Billings GazettePineapple is by far the most popular item in a snack program that serves fresh fruits and vegetables to students at eight Billings elementary schools. ... read more...

Decline in May figures

2009-07-27T05:01:00.002-04:00

by David Ivanovic EU imports amounted to 86,200 tons in May 2009, a figure 13% than what was recorded for the same month last year; however, total pineapple imports for between January and May of this year were slightly higher compared with 2008.

David will be in Japan! Any requests?

2009-07-21T19:25:00.001-04:00

by David IvanovicI'll be in Japan for a couple of days, and I'll take that opportunity to meet some key players involved in exotics product imports and to share with you how they are marketed in this 130 million people market.Mata!

Thailand: Tipco confident of pickup in exports in 2nd half

2009-07-14T10:24:00.001-04:00

July 14, 2009 - The Nation BusinessTipco Foods (Thailand) is confiฌdent that its exports in the second half of the year will be better than during the first six months, as customers in overseas markets have started spendฌing again. The company produces, distribฌutes and exports canned pineapple, pineapple juice and mixed fruit juice under the Tipco brand. Managing director ... read more...

Côte d'Ivoire: un plan de sauvetage de 30 millions d'euros pour l'ananas

2009-07-13T17:45:00.001-04:00

July 13, 2009 - Abidjan.netLa filière ananas de Côte d'Ivoire, en crise depuis plusieurs années, s'est dotée d'un "plan de sauvetage" de 20 milliards de FCFA (30 millions d'euros) pour relancer la production et reconquérir le marché européen, son principal débouché, a annoncé lundi son responsable. Ce plan vise à installer "d'ici deux ans 300 petits planteurs, chacun ... lire davantage...

New US import data available tomorrow!

2009-07-09T09:57:00.001-04:00

by David Ivanovic Stay tuned as tomorrow I’ll publish the latest US import data for May 2009. EU data will be availalbe a few weeks later.

Taiwan pineapple exports increase sharply

2009-07-09T09:47:00.000-04:00

July 8, 2009 - Taiwan NewsThe volume of pineapples exported in the first half of 2009 rose 112% to a record 1,601 tons, compared to 753 tons in the same period last year, according to the agency's statistics. In recent years, the council has been promoting initiatives such as Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) for fruits and vegetables, Certified Agricultural ... read more...

Kenya: Kirdi to build Sh5m pineapple factory

2009-07-08T10:36:00.001-04:00

July 7, 2009 - The StandardThe Kenya Industrial Research Institute (Kirdi) is building a Sh5 million pineapple factory in Homa Bay District to streamline marketing of the crop in Southern Nyanza. The institute has taken over the former Homa Bay Millers and work on the plant is going on. Farmers termed the construction of the factory a major breakthrough for the region’s economy. ... read more...

South Africa: Unlocking new future for pineapple

2009-07-07T10:59:00.001-04:00

July 7, 2009 - Dispatch Online THE Eastern Cape’s pineapple industry faces a bright future after the completion of a multi-million rand study funded by the provincial development agency, Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), which aims to unlock the dietary fibre richness of the pineapple (Ananas Comosus) plant. The

European imports are up so far this year but significantly lower in April

2009-07-03T16:29:00.004-04:00

by David IvanovicTotal EU imports for the first 4 months of 2009 are 6% higher than last year, however imported volumes for April were lower by 9% compared to the same month in 2008.

Australia: New levy for pineapple growers

2009-07-01T16:02:00.001-04:00

July 1, 2009 - abc.news.net.auAs of today, pineapple growers across the nation will be paying a new levy.Last year, growers voted for the levy which is $2 per tonne for pineapples heading straight to the processor and $5 per tonne for those sold on the fresh market. Doug Christensen from a Brisbane market wholesaler says the money will be primarily spent on research and ... read more...

Cuba: Ciego de Avila fighting to recover the pineapple production kingdom

2009-06-26T10:16:00.002-04:00

The geographic lack of concentration of the pineapple plantations in 102 cultivation areas, conform the strategy of Ciego de Avila province for recovering the Cuban leadership in the fruits queen harvest. Almost all municipalities dedicate their lands to the promotion of the fruit, fact that is no more an exclusive responsibility of the state including farmers ... read more...

Ecuadorian pineapple exports 'recover'

2009-06-22T15:39:00.001-04:00

June 18, 2009 – by Reefer Trends After a dip in value last year the country’s Central Bank reports that pineapple exports in the first four months of 2009 are trending similarly to 2007.

US: Golden Goodness

2009-06-16T12:56:00.001-04:00

June 16, 2009Organics Unlimited Organic Pineapples now available throughout the U.S.Organics Unlimited is now offering organic pineapples throughout the United States. Organic gold pineapples, which are being shipped from Ecuador through the Port of Los Angeles to ensure quality and freshness, will soon be available under the GROW (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers) label. Rich in

EU Pineapple Imports in 2008 / 1st part

2009-06-05T13:43:00.001-04:00

by David Ivanovic In 2008, pineapple imports for the EU-15 have witnessed another big jump in terms of pineapple shipments. Between 2004 and 2008, arrivals have grown by nearly 80%, representing an annual growth rate of 15%. Costa Rica is the main locomotive in this highly competitive market, growing from 250,000 metric tonnes in 2004 to 670,000 four years later. Latin American suppliers are

Project for management of pests and diseases in pineapple

2009-06-05T13:27:00.001-04:00

A union between two private companies from Costa Rica and the Netherlands are investigating how to help pineapple producers to produce environmentally fair products in Pital, San Carlos. It will start this year with a project of international character whose goal is to offer alternatives for pest and disease control in the cultivation of pineapples by small and medium producers. This project was

AU: Sweet future for pineapple growers

2009-06-02T13:15:00.002-04:00

One of only two remaining pineapple farmers in the Gympie region to still have a Golden Circle canning contract, veteran grower Ken Buchanan sees the future as sweet.Food manufacturer Heinz formally took ownership of Golden Circle on December 19, 2008 and for Mr Buchanan it's business as usual at the family's 4000 tonne a year Sandowne Pineapple Company.He says while it's early days, once the

Australia: Pineapple growers want to decide how levy is used

2009-06-02T13:15:00.001-04:00

The Pineapple Growers' Advancement Group says it's determined to spend the new pineapple levy in consultation with growers.The levy of $2 for production fruit and $5 for fresh fruit will be introduced on July 1.PGAG chairman Chris Fullerton says growers are keen to see more research and development, as well as promotional projects for the industry."So we have identified priorities where those

Chiquita pineapple bites named best new fruit product at the United Fresh Produce annual convention

2009-05-06T18:21:00.001-04:00

Healthy snacks attracted a lot of attention at the 2009 annual convention and expo of the United Fresh Produce Association in Las Vegas. Chiquita Pineapple Bites was named Best New Fruit or Vegetable Product as the produce trade association announced the winners of its first-ever competition in new product categories.All United Fresh convention exhibitors were eligible to submit new products, and

US: Pineapple, the true miracle fruit

2009-05-04T13:46:00.000-04:00

When it comes to a healthy diet, all of us are aware that a nutritional regimen consisting of an abundance of fruits and vegetables is a sure way to a healthy lifestyle. Some plant based foods fight cancer, some assist in bolstering the immune system, and still others make the aging process a bit more palatable by assuaging such maladies as macular degeneration. Each vegetable and fruit seems to

Awe Sum offers gold pineapple from

2009-05-04T13:45:00.002-04:00

05/01/2009 By Ashley BentleyOrganic importer Awe Sum Organics Inc. is bringing in a new Peruvian gold pineapple this year.A pineapple being imported into the U.S. from Peru by Awe Sum Organic Inc. under the Sol Sol label is an improved variety, says David Posner, president and chief executive officer.Capitola, Calif.-based Awe Sum Organics, formerly Farmers Fruit Express Inc., expected its first

DA researcher discovers technique to grow pineapple that meets export standards

2009-05-04T13:44:00.001-04:00

A researcher from the Research Outreach Station of the Department of Agriculture (DA) here has discovered a technique for growing export-quality pineapple.“Pineapple performs well when given the right amount of fertilizer,” and the new technique would give fruit growers fruits “that are in accordance with the standards of the export market,” DA researcher Inocencio Obrero said.In his study

Malaysia: Kubang Pasu to have big pineapple plantation

2009-05-04T13:43:00.001-04:00

The Kubang Pasu district is set to become Kedah's largest pineapple exporting area soon.Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said a study had shown that the district could host a commercial-scale pineapple plantation.Johari, who is also the Kubang Pasu member of parliament, said the ministry was planning to plant pineapple on a 1,200ha site in the district soon

Germany: Police stumbles upon $37m illegal drugs hidden in pineapples from Ghana

2009-03-27T10:42:00.001-04:00

German customs stumbled across 28 million euros (37 million dollars) worth of illegal drugs hidden amongst seven tonnes of pineapples in Hamburg harbour, officials said yesterday.“While unloading a ship from Ghana, we came across a container full of pineapples meant to be delivered to a fashion boutique in Western Germany,” custom official, Dietmar Schulze said.“It seemed bizarre that a clothing

DAVCO moving towards greener environment

2009-03-24T23:25:00.001-04:00

In the recent multi-partite monitoring team meeting of Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation (DAVCO), a company engaged in the production of fresh pineapples under the Del Monte label for export to international markets, the goal of moving further towards a greener environment for 2009 was delineated.DAVCO Environment Officer, Norman Antipala, presented the company plan to continuously plant

Sri Lanka seeks to raise pineapple export to Pakistan

2009-03-20T23:12:00.001-04:00

Seeking to increase its fruit exports, the Sri Lankan Government has undertaken a marketing campaign to sell pineapples to Pakistan. Pineapples in Sri Lanka are grown in an area of over 4,750 hectares producing over 35,000 tons a year. The fruit is grown on a large scale in the country as it has a ready demand in the international market.Fruits and nuts constitute less than one per cent of Sri

Ghana, Africa, pineapple farmers, others to benefit from Praxis Strategy Group expertise

2009-03-06T12:39:00.001-05:00

Delore Zimmerman's arrival in the African country of Ghana's capital city, Accra, meant a winning outcome for his host from the very start.'Very few Americans visit the countryside in Ghana,' Zimmerman, President of Praxis Strategy Group, explains. 'My colleague, Tony Mensah, told his business associates he could bring an American businessperson there, and they bet that he couldn't. It wasa

Farmers in Misamis Oriental launch commercial-scale pineapple plantation

2009-02-27T22:42:00.001-05:00

Small-scale farmers in this small agricultural town are currently testing the suitability of pineapple, a major export crop for Northern Mindanao, amid local conditions, specifically, in terms of soil quality and availability of rainfall.And from initial results, the town could host commercial-scale production of this high-value crop.Although produced in many parts of Misamis Oriental as well as

US: Chiquita wins melon farms' lawsuit

2009-02-26T08:43:00.000-05:00

Chiquita Brands International may have suffered major losses on Wall Street in recent days, but the downtown-based produce giant scored a victory in a federal suit over a pricing dispute that saved the company at least $8 million and possibly more. A pair of Honduras-based melon farms had sued Chiquita in U.S. District Court for what they claimed was unfair pricing on their product at the end of

MPIB seeks to develop Sabah's pineapple industry

2009-02-26T08:42:00.000-05:00

The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board is seeking some 15,000 hectares of land to jointly develop the flagging pineapple industry in Sabah. It is also seeking a similar acreage in neighbouring Sarawak. Its Chairman, Datuk Ir Hasni bin Mohammad told Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, here today that the board felt that the state had the potential and sufficient land to become a major pineapple

US: New growth for pineapple farming

2009-02-23T10:46:00.001-05:00

Pineapple farming in Hawai'i declined sharply in the past few years at the hands of two agribusiness industry giants, but increasing numbers of small farmers see sweet opportunity in the crop long associated with the Isles. "Call us crazy, but let's hope we're crazy like a fox — not crazy crazy," said Craig Bowden, a farm industry veteran who partnered to start two local pineapple farm ventures

Uganda: Luweero to get Sh1 billion pineapple factory

2009-02-12T13:57:00.001-05:00

The Government, Kasana-Luweero Catholic Diocese and three private investors from Austria are to construct a sh1.2b pineapple-drying factory in Luweero district.The state minister for investment, Semakula Kiwanuka, on Tuesday toured the proposed site and met some of the farmers who would supply the pineapples.Kiwanuka said the Government would contribute 70% of the total cost to be released this

Pineapple growers weather rains, tight economy

2009-02-11T21:14:00.001-05:00

The PackerBy Cynthia David(Feb. 11, Pineapple Marketing Profile) Between poor weather in Central America and an uncertain economic climate, the pineapple industry is preparing for a challenging year.“It’s been a tough few months, but overall we see pineapple markets remaining steady,” said Ken Nabal, vice president of sales and logistics for Edinburg, Texas-based Frontera Produce Ltd., which

US: First to market, Sundia’s True Fruit organic arrives in stores

2009-02-04T20:42:00.002-05:00

Responding to consumer demand for organic produce, Sundia Corporation, today announced that True Fruit Organic, the only fruit cup on the market filled with ready-to-eat, organic fruit grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, can now be found in supermarkets. The cups come with a spork (combination fork and spoon).“We developed True Fruit Organic for consumers committed to

Costa Rica’s key players in fresh produce unite in strength for the first time with a country stand

2009-02-04T17:34:00.001-05:00

Costa Rica at Fruit Logistica 2009Costa Rica’s bananas, pineapples, papayas and tropical roots and tubers are present for the next three days in Berlin at the 17th edition of FRUIT LOGISTICA, one of the most important European fresh produce fairs.Europe is the second biggest market for Costa Rica’s agricultural products. Four key players of the Costa Rican fresh produce industry, in cooperation

Tesco calls for lower supplier prices

2009-01-31T12:43:00.001-05:00

Fruitnet.com 31 January 2009 Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy claims suppliers must pass savings made from lower commodity prices on to consumersTesco has called on its suppliers to pass savings made from falling commodity prices on to consumers, claiming that it is critically important that savings translate into lower retail prices to ease financial pressures on shoppers.In a keynote

European grocery prices to fall this year

2009-01-15T13:46:00.001-05:00

Grocery prices are likely to fall this year as food retailers react to the rise of discounters and lower oil and raw material prices.Steep food price inflation propelled the value of the European grocery market to euro 901.5bn in 2008, research house Verdict's European Grocery Retailers 2009 report showed.But the plunge in the price of oil and better harvests last year have depressed price

UK: Environment secretary on food labelling

2009-01-15T13:39:00.001-05:00

UK’s Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that supermarkets and companies needed to label products more clearly to show consumers exactly where their food was coming from. Under current European regulations, a product's country of origin was the place where it had undergone its last significant process, but this could hide where it had really come from. Mr Benn suggested a voluntary labelling

Plantings double of first Australian-bred pineapple

2009-01-14T13:51:00.001-05:00

Plantings of the first-ever Australian-bred pineapple have doubled in the past year, meaning there will be no shortage of the new variety for the niche markets targeted for 2009, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.Fifteen years in the making, the DPI&F's Aus-Jubilee is proving popular for its consistent good flavour from perfectly timed picking.Commercial partner with

UAE: Fruit and vegetable market hit by downturn

2009-01-13T13:00:00.001-05:00

Although some sectors such as banking and real estate have been heavily affected by the global financial crisis, its effect on the fruit and vegetable business has been relatively low.The fall in oil prices and the onset of winter has slightly brought down the prices of some fruit and vegetables as more imports arrive from regional countries at a lower transportation cost.Gulf News spoke to

UK: Oranges are not the only fruit juice as sales dip

2009-01-09T11:15:00.001-05:00

Orange juice has been pipped at Britain's breakfast tables by more exotic varieties for the first time.Once a glass of OJ was the only way to start the day, but now early-risers are opting for unusual flavours like pineapple, cranberry and pomegranate.Since 2003, sales of the traditional breakfast drink have been cut by as much as 13 per cent, with volumes dropping from 501million litres to

Philippines: Firm grows bananas in land of pineapples

2009-01-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

A local fruit grower is planting bananas in the land of pineapples, creating an alternative livelihood source for residents here.Mont Manna Fruits, Inc. wants to make Ormoc, known for its pineapples, to become a major banana processor.Former Ormoc City Councilor Jose Serafica, who founded Mont Manna, said the company could serve the rising demand for banana in the Visayas. Most Visayan provinces

UK: Imported fresh produce prices to soar

2009-01-08T12:05:00.001-05:00

David says: Will exotics be affected? Of courseThe cost of fresh fruit and vegetables will soar this year as European farmers shun the plunging pound. British importers believe shoppers will face increases as high as 20 per cent in coming weeks, with some produce disappearing from our shelves altogether. All sorts of fresh produce is affected but potatoes, onions and tomatoes are particularly at

Exotic fruit sales plunge in Italy

2009-01-05T13:13:00.001-05:00

CIA reports 25 per cent year-on-year fall in sales of pineapples, bananas, avocados and mangoes during festive periodThe amount of exotic fruit consumed in Italy over the festive period fell dramatically compared with the same period of 2007, according to Italian farming organisation CIA.In a statement, the group reported a year-on-year downturn of more than 25 per cent in sales of fruits such as

Italian minister calls for pineapple boycott

2008-12-18T09:53:00.001-05:00

fruitnet.com 18 December 2008 Luca Zaia says Italians should avoid out-of-season food products this Christmas and buy domestically produced items instead The Italian Minister of Agriculture, Luca Zaia, has sent the issue

Uganda: Luweero, Kayunga pineapple growers want fruit processor

2008-12-17T14:16:00.000-05:00

Seven years ago, Aaron Lutalo started pineapple farming on half an acre but he has now dedicated 12 acres of land to pineapple growing. He has over 140,000 plants. He harvests at least 2,000 per day at the peak of the season. His shamba is found at Kakumu, 10 miles from Luweero town, off the Luweero-Wabusana Road. He is not the only farmer, growing pineapples; there are several others: Joseph

More imports of exotics: German production of vegetables and fruit growing

2008-12-16T12:47:00.002-05:00

Note from David: I guess they used some sort of automatic translation website (from Dutch to English). Danku ! ------------------In Germany there is talk about a growing area and an increasing local production, but for most products of the food horticulture this is definitely not self sufficient. During the period 2000-2007 the area for this form of horticulture grew by 12%. A marked increase

Latest Market Intelligence Report

2008-12-16T12:03:00.002-05:00

The latest pineapple Market Intelligence Report (MIR) is out! Here's the link from the Ghana Fresh Produce website:MIR Pineapple Update 2008

Sri Lanka: Better income from export products

2008-12-12T17:12:00.001-05:00

Note from David: Some fragmental information about the Iranian pineapple market-------A better income can be derived by producing export oriented products, said Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris. The Minister said so addressing a meeting that followed the distribution of pineapple shoots among farmers of Pahala Beragama Neela Gajaba Collective Farm. Under this

Relevant pineapple links

2008-12-05T01:20:00.001-05:00

Pineapple Crop Guides * California Rare Fruit Growers * University of Florida * Purdue University * UC/Davis Postharvest Technology and Information Center * UC/Davis Fruit and Nut Research & Information Center

Chemical-free breakthrough on pines shipment

2008-12-01T22:50:00.000-05:00

A new chemical-free technology developed to protect pineapples in overseas shipments has been declared a success by a new study.Purfresh Transport has been proven to be more effective than fungicides and eliminates 95 per cent more bacteria than shipments that use chemicals. Purfresh uses refrigerated freight containers to protect against yeast, mould and bacteria. A recent study of two pineapple

Ghana: Farmers introduced to new pineapple varieties

2008-11-27T23:00:00.000-05:00

Ghana: Farmers introduced to new pineapple varietiesAbout 450 pineapple farmers from a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) at the weekend ended a three-day seminar on Rapid Multiplication Technique production and marketing of varieties of pineapples. The varieties include smooth cayenne and sugar loaf, which were meant for the local and foreign markets.The programme was organised by the Abibiman

Costa Rican pineapple volume climbs even higher

2008-11-27T20:24:00.000-05:00

(Nov. 21, 1:55 p.m.) European and North American consumers have contributed greatly to the gold pineapple’s popularity, leading to a rapid expansion in acreage in Costa Rica, a major supplier of the MD2 variety.Now growers and marketers are working to make sure the explosive growth in pineapple production doesn’t strain Costa’s Rica’s pristine environment.Costa Rica’s Environmental Tribunal

MARKET INTELLIGENCE: US Imports between 2003 and 2008 (in metric tons)

2008-11-27T16:32:00.000-05:00

Costa Rica dominates the US market, representing 575,000 mt in 2007 and growing 10% a year between 2003 and 2007For the first seven months of 2008, shipments from Ecuador have dropped by nearly 30% when compared to the same period last year

Costa Rica witnesses pineapple boom

2008-11-27T16:30:00.000-05:00

Due to growing popularity in Europe and North America, Costa Rican pineapple growers have been investing heavily in productionCosta Rica, which is a major supplier of the MD2 golden pineapple variety, has seen pineapple acreage increase from around 12,100ha in 2000 to over 40,000ha in 2007, according to The Packer.The main factor behind this huge increase has been rising demand for golden